Heinz recalls baby food after nine-month-old chokes on piece of plastic 'bigger than a stamp'

A nine-month-old boy nearly choked to death after swallowing a piece of plastic in his baby food.

Food giant Heinz has recalled the spaghetti bolognese product as a precautionary measure after Oliver Barrow gagged on a jagged piece of plastic bigger than a postage stamp.

Oliver started choking and turned bright red as his father fed him a pot of Heinz Mum's Own Recipe spaghetti bolognese.

Oliver's mother, Rachel Davies - who was at work at the time - said things might have 'come to the worst' but for quick action by her partner, Oliver's father David Barrow.

'Oliver has eaten the spaghetti bolognese before, but this time he was putting his fingers in his mouth,' she said.

'When David tried giving him another mouthful, Oliver started choking and he turned bright red.'

Ms Davies, 28, of Walney, Cumbria, said her partner - a chef - got their son a drink and patted his back, causing Oliver to vomit.

She said he then saw the plastic piece and was able to take it out of the boy's mouth.

Ms Davies added: 'We phoned Heinz and had to send the food jar and plastic to their lab at Wigan.

'I was amazed when they phoned me back to say they were recalling the product from the supermarkets.

'They also apologised and promised to send flowers and something for Oliver.

'It was lucky it never came to the worst. We were worried that the same thing might happen to someone else's baby.'

Heinz confirmed it was taking the precautionary measure of recalling part of an isolated batch of Heinz Mum's Own Recipe Spaghetti Bolognese seven-months-plus baby food in 200g jars, because of the potential presence of small pieces of plastic which could present a risk of choking.

Company spokesman Nigel Dickie warned parents not to use jars with the code 9136 on the top of the cap and a 'best before' date of 11/2010 on the side of the cap.

He added: 'Heinz has informed the UK and Irish food authorities about the precautionary action and advertisements are appearing in the national media to advise parents and carers of the recall.

'Heinz is carrying out a full investigation of the incident to ensure it does not reoccur and apologises for any inconvenience caused.'

• Call the Heinz UK Careline on 08000 151557 for a full refund, or in the Republic of Ireland, 1800 696979.